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We have long had debates about gun maintenance. One of the biggest is the issue of lubrication. Especially with regard to how much lube is enough. Now, I have said many times, an oily gun is a happy gun. I didn’t make that up, it comes from old school Army guys who, sadly, are long dead. But, it is not an uncommon saying in the gun business. At any rate, Larry Vickers and the guys at TacTV have done a video to, as they put it, dispel the myth of over lubrication. It’s pretty convincing to me.

I will say that I tend to agree with Vickers on the points made here. Guns are best described as an “open” lubrication system. Your car’s engine has a closed loop system where by parts are constantly bathed in oil freshly pumped from the oil pan at the bottom of the engine in a wet sump system or an external tank in a dry sump system. Your car’s wheels/axles and various suspension/steering components however, are more akin to the gun. There’s no practical way to pump oil in and out of these areas. And so, typically, we grease the bearings in these areas of a car. Some shooters elect to use grease as lube with their guns for the same reason. Regardless of you choice of oil or grease, you can and should consult your owner’s manual for instructions on lubrication for your particular gun or consult a qualified armorer/gunsmith.
-GM